Teams from 24 Nations at World Muzzle-Loading Championships

The 2010 World Muzzle-Loading Championships were held August 15-22 in Fervenca, Portugal. 383 competitors, representing 24 countries, vied for top honors with original and replica black powder firearms. Over 30 events for rifles, pistols, and shotguns were conducted at the World Championships, with arms ranging from the matchlocks of the 16th century to the percussion target arms of the 19th century. Original and replica arms compete in separate categories within the mens’ and women’s divisions.

Germany Dominates Event, But Americans Fare Well
Overall, shooters from the powerful European teams (particularly Germany) dominated the medal lists this year, but there were some good showings by Americans. CLICK HERE for MLAIC World Championships results and Medal Counts.

The U.S. International Muzzle-Loading Team captured the Bronze Medal in the Grand Prix de Versailles, the combined smoothbore and rifle-musket Aggregate. There were many strong individual performances by Americans. Betty Peloquin from Florida swept to victory in the original division of the “Walkyrie” ladies’ 100-meter prone rifle match. Shooting a percussion target rifle made over 150 years ago, Peloquin posted a 95 score for a decisive 3-point victory. New Yorker Shannon Boyce won the Silver Medal in the replica division of the “Whitworth” prone percussion rifle event. Tim Thorne, of Maryland, conned his nearly 200-year-old flintlock rifle to a Bronze medal in the original division of the “Pennsylvania” 50 meter offhand flintlock rifle match.

The next World Muzzle-Loading Championships will be held in August 2012 in Pforzheim, Germany. The World Championships are organized by the Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee (MLAIC).